Cat and Dog Choking (Conscious)

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Choking can come on suddenly in dogs or cats that are chewing on food, treats or toys. Your pet may become anxious, struggle to breathe and their gums may turn blue in color. If this happens, first you want to investigate their mouth. Open the jaws of your pet and pull the tongue forward. The tongue may be slippery so you can use some gauze or the sleeve of your shirt to pull it forward. Once you do that, use your finger to sweep the mouth and try to dislodge the object. Be careful not to get bitten, or lodge the object further in. If this is unsuccessful you must give modified Heimlich thrusts depending on the size of your animal. Find the area just behind their sternum. When you feel soft belly, place your hands in a fist and you are going to give 5 quick abdominal thrusts. Once you do that go back to the mouth and check and see if the object is dislodged. If your pet is in a standing position, get behind them and place hands right behind where the ribs end. Either with two fists or one give 5 thrusts toward her spine and head. If the abdominal thrusts are unsuccessful you may have to switch to back blows. Find your pet's shoulder blades and give 5 quick blows to the back. Repeat these steps until you are able to dislodge the object or your pet becomes unconscious. For cats or small dogs: hold them with their spine along your chest and find the area just behind the rib cage that is soft belly. With one fist give 5 chest thrusts and then check and see if you have dislodged the object.